HARTFORD — Employees won't have to provide their Facebook password or Twitter handle to the boss under a bill approved by the House of Representatives Wednesday.

The House gave final legislative approval to the measure after about an hour of debate. It prohibits employers from firing or disciplining a worker who refuses to hand over their personal account information.

"Whether you're using the employer's server, computer or not won't change the fact that your private accounts on social media or elsewhere will remain your private information,'' said Rep. Peter Tercyak, D-New Britain, co-chairman of the legislature's labor committee.

The bill also prohibits employers from demanding a job applicant's social media user name or password.

However, work-related accounts are not protected under the legislation, nor are accounts linked to devices the employer provides. The bill also allows for certain types of investigations, such pre-employment screenings of law enforcement personnel.

The labor commissioner can impose penalties of up to $25 for the first offense and up to $500 for subsequent violations.

Critics suggest the bill aims to solve a problem that doesn't exist. Rep. Richard Smith, a New Fairfield Republican, cited a legislative report that estimated there would be 10 violations of the proposed law per year.

"I wonder, do we really need this bill?'' Smith said. "What is the issue? Is it an issue for one person or is it an issue for our society? I suspect if we're talking about a population the size of Connecticut with a potential of 10 violations, I suspect this is an unnecessary bill and creates more problems than it's worth."

The bill, which was approved by the Senate last month, now heads to Gov. Dannel P. Malloy.